Construction Technologies and Environmental Services

Question 1

What are the advantages of MMC?

Answer 1

1. Shorter construction period
2. Increased quality due to offsite manufacturing and mass production
3. Increased health and safety due to less sub-contractors on site

Question 2

What are the advantages of a steel frame?

Answer 2

1. Quick to erect
2. Doesn’t require formwork
3. High strength to weight ratio
4. Good for spanning long distances
5. Can be recycled

Question 3

What are the disadvantages of steel frame?

Answer 3

1. Fire treatment required
2. Secondary steelwork needed for cladding
3. Fluctuating price of steel

Question 4

What kind of foundations would be needed for a low round bearing capacity?

Answer 4

1. I would consult a structural engineer
2. I would expect pile foundations

Question 5

How did you cost the increase in acoustic performance of internal wall partitions?

Answer 5

To be confirmed

Question 6

What is settlement?

Answer 6

The downward movement of a building caused by the weight compressing the soil beneath it.

Question 7

What is beam and block flooring?

Answer 7

Concrete T beams and breaze blocks uniformly placed between them.

Question 8

What’s the advantage of beam and block flooring?

Answer 8

1. Good for poor ground conditions
2. Ease of build due to repeated formation

Question 9

What’s the advantage of beam and block flooring?

Answer 9

1. Good for poor ground conditions
2. Ease of build due to repeated formation

Question 10

What are some sustainable technologies?

Answer 10

1. Photovoltaics
2. Rainwater harvesting
3. Air Source Heat Pumps
4. Green roofs

Question 11

What are the different framing options for a new build?

Answer 11

1. Steel
2. Concrete
3. Timber

Question 12

What are the commercial differences between steel and concrete frames

Answer 12

1. Steel has higher upfront and package costs but shorter programme
2. Concrete has lower upfront costs but longer programme duration due to formwork

Question 13

What are the BB guidance

Answer 13

Department for Education guidance around specifications for schools such as:
classroom sizes
fire safety
acoustic performance
ventilation, thermal comfort and air quality

Question 14

In refurbishment projects what are the key things you need to consider

Answer 14

1. Surveys including Refurbishment and Demolition survey
2. Stripping out costs
3. Whether or not new M&E systems are having to integrate with exisiting
4. Wether or not the whole building/site is being refurbished and implication for area outside the red line boundary